Tri-Cities religion notes

Fundraisers

• Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia will host an annual indoor rummage sale. The sale continues from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 24, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the church, 950 Hart Road. On July 25, there will be a half-price sale from 8 to 11 a.m. and a bag sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, call Cindy at (630) 406-9531.

• The youth of Congregational Church of Batavia present Red Tie Trio, Fluid Impulse and Alex Bilingit in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the church, 21 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert is open to all. The $5 admission will benefit Compassion International's child sponsorships. Refreshments will be served. For details, call the church at (630) 879-1999.

• St. Gall Church, 120 W. Shannon St., Elburn, will host its 25th annual indoor rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. A bag sale begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. There will be a bake sale both days. Items include household goods, books, electronics, sporting goods, toys, small furniture, bikes, lamps, tools, shoes, clothing, jewelry and more. For details, call (630) 365-6030.

Music

• Marmion Abbey in Aurora welcomes the public to attend the "Bach and Beyond at the Abbey" concert by members of the American Guild of Organists at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 31. The concert will be held in the Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, 850 Butterfield Road, Aurora. Admission is free, any donations will go to the AGO Young Organists Scholarship Fund. This is the 10th concert in this series presented by members of the Fox Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The music of Bach, Mendelssohn, and Mozart will be featured, along with two congregational hymns and a choral anthem. This year's program will include a brass quintet in addition to organists from the chapter. For information, contact Betsy Kahlbaugh, Fox Valley AGO program chair, at (630) 212-8370.

Special events

• Once again, "Two Guys and Free Spaghetti" will be held for the fourth time from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles. Hosted by Joe Ryan and Matt Rhead, who supply a free spaghetti dinner to anyone who wants to attend. Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic bread and dessert is free, supplied by Joe and Matt and their friends who also cook and serve the meal. The "Two Guys" recognize that many families would enjoy a free night out, good food and fellowship, especially in these difficult times. Everyone is welcome. To attend, call (630) 584-2596 or just stop by.

• The Jehovah's Witnesses host a three-day "Keep on the Watch!" District Convention, 1525 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. The convention is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, July 24, at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center in DeKalb. Program sessions start at 9:20 a.m. all three days of the convention. Admission is free, and no collections will be taken.

• Fox Valley Christian Church, 40W150 Main St., Batavia, will host a special "Celebrate Recovery Event" from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Bill Brooks, musician, songwriter and storyteller, will combine those talents into a compelling testimony he tells with words and original music. With his rich baritone voice and unassuming style, Brooks will share his story. This event is free and open to adults, age 18 and older. For details, e-mail cr@fvcc.com.

• Faith Baptist Church at Mill Creek will once again partner with Reach for the Moon Foundation by offering their facility for people to drop off school supplies for local children in need of assistance. During the month of August, drop off school supplies at the church at 1S455 South Mill Creek Drive, Geneva, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For information, call the church office at (630) 845-2532. Supplies include: crayons, No. 2 pencils, ballpoint pens, wide-ruled note books, washable markers, erasers, colored pencils, Post-it notes, scissors and glue sticks.

• H.E.L.P.S. Ministry will host "Meet in the Street and Eat '09" from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at 34W621 Iowa Ave., St. Charles. Come say goodbye to summertime with live music, games, attractions, contests, food, refreshing quenchers and more. For details, call (847) 741-3526 or visit www.thehelpsministry.org.

• The public is invited to screen the film, "Rethink Afghanistan" at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S. Second St. This is part of the free Friday Flick Series sponsored by the UUSG Social Justice committee on the third Friday of each month. For information, visit www.uusg.org/fridayflick or call Jean Pierre at (630) 232-2350.

Bible school

• Batavia United Methodist Church invites children to "Camp EDGE: Experience + Discover God Everywhere" from 9 a.m. to noon the week of July 27-31, at the church, 8 N. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Cost is $20. Call Deb Menger at (630) 879-7060 or visit bataviaumc.com.

• Calvary Episcopal Church in Batavia invites everyone to "Crocodile Dock" from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 3, through Friday, Aug. 7. Church membership is not required. Admission is free. Registration is required by Monday, July 27. Call the church office at (630) 879-3378 or download it from calvary-episcopal.org.

• Bethany Luthern Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia, invites children in preschool to fifth grade to vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Monday to Thursday, Aug. 10-13. SportsLife Camps will run the camp called "Excited About Jesus!" Many activities are planned, including Obstacle Course, Rubber Chicken Challenge, Sports Explosion, Football Frenzy and Arts Extravaganza. Enroll at bethanybatavia.org. Deadline has been extended to Sunday, July 26. Call the church office at (630) 879-3444.

Workshops

• If you haven't read the entire Bible, or just want a refresher, now's your chance. Join St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles and experience God's word in a small group video-enhanced setting. This is an opportunity to read the entire Bible as a family. Invite someone to join you and study together. You will read 12 pages a day in a Bible especially organized for the class. Once a week you gather with fellow participants to review the assigned readings and view a video lesson. Many different class days and times are being offered. Classes start Tuesday, Sept. 1, and end the first week of December. Registration ends Sunday, Aug. 16. Material fee of $23 includes a Bible and study guide. The Essential Bible Companion is an optional resource, available for an additional $10.79. For details, call (630) 584-8638. Sign up today. Register in person or via the Web at stmarksstc.org.